FAQs

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.
Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic, often referred to as chiropractors practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. It focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine, and pelvis) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.

Chiropractic is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system.

Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissue, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being healthy.

A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.

With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove any interference that may be impairing normal health.
Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as “back” problems.

Many patients consult a chiropractor because they have a pinched nerve.
Because of the way the spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare.
Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! This can result in numbness, burning or a “pins and needles” feeling.
More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated be malfunctioning spinal joints.

Technically, there is no such thing as a slipped disk
The inter-vertebral disc is a pad of cartilage type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jelly like centre is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending.

The truth of the matter is the disk is strongly attached (literally cemented) to the vertebrae above and below making it impossible for it to move. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft centre of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord. Interestingly, bulging, herniated and even ruptured disks are seldom the real cause of your back pain.

While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc related health problem.

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions.
DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches…particularly with their highly skilled chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury.

After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, thorough orthopaedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functioning problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.

The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodical examinations and follow-up reports.

Doctors of chiropractic are educated as primary-contact health care providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them.

Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. Australian chiropractors are five year university trained, and are government registered and government regulated health professionals.

To become a registered chiropractor in Australia you must have studied an accredited 5-year chiropractic program conducted at a University within Australia. Currently there are three universities in Australia that have chiropractic degree programs: Macquarie University, RMIT University and Murdoch University.

A chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice, chiropractors complete continuing professional development courses and seminars to upgrade and improve their skills and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

The Australian Government has established a chiropractic regulating authority to ensure increased public safety for the Australian population. These bodies are responsible for maintaining the highest standards for all practitioners.

For more information about registration requirements for an Australian Chiropractor, see the Chiropractic Board of Australia.

A Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to permit improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are many ways to adjust the spine.
Usually the doctor’s hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.
After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

The doctor evaluates each patient’s problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.

Some patients who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.

Patients notice that their chiropractor care is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.

It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a “popping” sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!

The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the service of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential l-arginine herpes vigorelle adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise.

Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

When visiting your doctor of chiropractic, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain — prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) — as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation.
Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective. Please feel free to discuss this matter with your chiropractor.

While there aren’t any shortcuts to speed your body’s natural healing process, there’s a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.
Learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to help retrain the muscles that support your spine.

Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, too. Get the appropriate amount of rest your body needs and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
During the healing process, proper nutrition is more important than ever. Make sure you eat balanced meals, and if you’re overweight, now would be a good time to slim down and reduce unnecessary stresses to your spine.

Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for a proper spinal function and health.
Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.

Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as “growing pains” can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic check-ups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults.

Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine, particularly babies’. It is a highly skilled treatment and very gentle.
Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children.

More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about overmedication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.

Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite.
Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associate with the ageing process.

The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.

You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back.
Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you’ve probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from literally rotting out of your head.

Once chiropractic care eliminates your pain and rehabilitates the injured tissues we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future. So the answer is yes, we want you to keep coming back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing, minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness.

Most patients find that periodic chiropractic check-ups help keep them in tiptop shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventative visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.

Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time consuming, chiropractors stand ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved.

No. Chiropractors are ‘first contact’ health care professionals, as defined in State and Federal Government regulations.

Following an initial consultation and examination, however, we may arrive at a diagnosis that requires a referral to a GP or other health care provider. For patients with complicated health issues, we often co-manage with other health professionals. This approach of collaborative clinical management can be very effective in chronic or serious cases.

Chiropractic adjustments are generally painless. In fact most people find having an adjustment very relaxing.

If the set-up prior to manipulation provokes pain, the surrounding muscles may go into a spasm to protect the area making it difficult to adjust the area. Being relaxed during care is important. Chiropractors are trained in a variety of distraction techniques to help make the adjustment as easy as possible.

The area may be sore after the adjustment, as the tissues and muscles accommodate to the improved flexibility.

Other types of methods might involve some pain. For example, chiropractors commonly use “trigger point” therapy. This is where pressure on a sore point provokes pain somewhere else in your body. This is referred pain. Practices can involve pressing on these points to relieve the referring pain problems. If you have a low pain threshold or tolerance, let the chiropractor know.
Some Chiropractors use a hand held instrument to adjust the spine. Others use pelvic blocks to re-align the body. Special techniques are used for adjusting infants and children. Whatever the technique, Chiropractors use skill, not force or strength, to conduct a safe, effective adjustment.

Yes.
It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nervous system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health.

Chiropractors provide effective treatment for all types of soft tissue disorders and not just back and neck ailments. This includes conditions of the joints of the extremities like the ankle, knee and shoulder.

What you may not be aware of is chiropractic’s success in treating a number of non-soft tissue conditions like dysmenorrhea (painful menses), ulcers, migraine headaches, and ear infections in children. While we cannot claim to cure these conditions, we believe that many of these problems can be mimicked, aggravated and some times caused by disruptions in the nervous system as a result of spinal abnormalities.
By correcting these spinal
abnormalities like the vertebral subluxation, chiropractic has helped thousands of individuals overcome these conditions and regain control of their lives. A number of studies have also supported these findings.

A Vertebral Subluxation occurs in the spine when two or more spinal bones lose motion and interfere with the nerve messages from the brain to the body (and vice versa). This affects muscle balance and the function of the organs (and the chemicals and hormones they produce).
Vertebral subluxations may or may not produce pain.

Subluxations are caused by stresses (or forces) that the body has been unable to adapt to.

PHYSICAL STRESS:

can range from knocks and falls during childhood, whiplash trauma, prolonged sitting or standing. The birth process itself exerts pressure on the spine and nervous system and the use of forceps and ventouse can create further distress.

CHEMICAL STRESS:

includes anything from too much alcohol, sugar, toxins and preservatives to breathing environmental pollutants. These upset body chemistry which disrupt the tone of both muscles and ligaments resulting in subluxation.

MENTAL STRESS:

may result from combating work or relationship pressures causing ligaments and muscles to tighten, and if sustained our body undergoes significant physiological changes such as increased blood pressure heart rate, blood glucose, cholesterol and many more.

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